CIR Safety Review: These polymers were, at most, slightly toxic when administered orally or dermally in a single dose. Dimethicone Copolyols were not primary skin or ocular irritants and gave no evidence of subchronic oral toxicity. Clinical studies showed that the Dimethicone Copolyols were neither primary skin irritants nor sensitizers when tested at a 100% concentration.

Dimethicone Copolyols may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/di...

Dimethicone Copolyol is a polymer of dimethylsiloxane with polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene side chains. The numbers indicate the average number of moles of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Dimethicone Copolyols function primarily as surfactants - emulsifying agents. They are also used to improve wetting characteristics of skin lotions, shave formulations, aerosol shave creams, and shampoos.